Dunk’d

The fourth annual Phi Gamma Delta — Epsilon Chi (FIJI) Dunk-a-thon took place on from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday on campus. The traditional fundraiser is for the American Red Cross.

To dunk one of the FIJI members was $1 for one ball and $2 for three. If you were feeling extra generous, the men would even let you just hit the button for $5.

Senior Curtis Matton, a FIJI member said normally the American Red Cross is at the event handing out hot chocolate and encouraging participants, but they are still helping with Hurricane Sandy relief.

Junior member Jordan Lindner said they didn’t have a lull in donations, though, because the money is still going to a good cause. This year, the men gave away prizes as incentive to donate more money and to create more fun.

“We went to a bunch of businesses and they gave us a gift certificates to give out to people,” Lindner said. “We had a sponsors banner next to the dunk tank too to show their support.”

Lindner said they got the prizes and certificates to give incentive for people to donate money for the American Red Cross.

FIJI was uncertain of the total amount of money raised because it needs to get counted by the American Red Cross but they have high expectations. Matton said before the event they had raised $1,400 in the past three years. This year they were trying to get over the $2,000 mark.

“Last year it was like $400 (they raised),” Lindner said. “Hopefully we raised a little higher than that. People were just really generous this year, being in front of Hibbard.”

Junior Marin Beaupré said she participated in the event because all the money is donated to the American Red Cross and to see the men fall into the water.

“What is better than watching all the men of FIJI freezing their butts off?” Beaupré said.

With big snow storm hitting Eau Claire Sunday, the men participating were in for a colder splash than originally expected.

Freshman Jay Hunt was one of the members to be dunked during the dunk-a-thon.

“It’s really cold at first,” Hunt said. “But actually the water is a little bit warmer than the air so it’s better to stay in the water.”

Lindner said he was dunked five or six times and most of the men almost wanted to stay in the water because it was so warm.

“We take shifts so people don’t get sick, but also there is lag time,” Lindner said. “Usually classes get out or get in at the 15, 30 mark and then at the 50 mark, so there is only about 10 minutes of busyness.”

Matton said that this past weekend of snow was more than they expected.

“We were hoping we would get some snow — not 14 inches,” Matton said, “But some snow to help out with the sympathy effect.”